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Alaska Airlines

Types of Travelers

Business Travlers

3/5

Good service, prices and reach, but small premium class

Family Traveler

4/5

Known as a user-friendly airline

Backpacker
Adventure Traveler

4/5

Regular service to West Coast adventure destinations

Student
Budget Traveler

5/5

Alaska Airlines and its affiliate, Horizon, offer competitive fares

Elderly
Disabled Traveler

4/5

Standard accessibility for disabled travelers

Long Term Traveler

4/5

Good fares and a growing number of destinations served

Novice Traveler

5/5

Known as a very user-friendly airline

Introduction

Alaska Airlines is one of the largest airlines on the US West Coast.   It mainly flies to destinations in that region of the US, though service expansions over the past decade have led to flights to major hubs in the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the country from the airline’s hub at Seattle Tacoma International.  The airline also offers flights from the West Coast to Hawaii.  Alaska Airlines and regional low-cost affiliate Horizon Air, have been recognized for their customer-friendliness over the years, most recently in 2010, when they were called the “best traditional carrier” in the country by JD Power and Associates.

Alaska Airlines began in the 1930s and adopted its current name in 1944.  In the 1960s, the airline moved its base from Anchorage Alaska to Seattle, Washington.  The airline has expended over the past two decades, purchasing Horizon Air and Jet America.


Ratings

Important Factors 4/5

Average Delay

10 minutes

Cancelled Flights
(average per month)

1%

Customer Satisfaction Rating

Named the top traditional carrier by JD Power and Associates in 2010

Types of Aircraft

Boeing 737 (400, 700, 800, and 900)

General 4/5

Number of Domestic Flights (Daily)

450

Number of International Flights (Daily)

n/a

Size of Fleet

112

Major Airports and Destinations Served

Seattle Tacoma, Los Angeles, San Diego, Anchorage, Las Vegas, Hawaii. Anchorage

Location of Hub

Seattle-Tacoma International, Anchorage, Portland

Countries Served

US, Canada, and Mexico

Number of Routes

n/a

Most Popular Routes

Anchorage to Seattle, Seattle to LA, Seattle to Las Vegas

In-Flight 2/5

Which Routes offer Meal Service?

Food available for purchase on all flights.

Food Quality

3

In-flight Menu

Sandwiches, pasta, eggs, oatmeal and packaged snacks. Most cost $6-$7

Average Leg Room

30-33 inches

Types of In-flight Entertainment

In-flight magazine. Movie and music available for a $6 fee

Baggage 3/5

Baggage Fees

$15 for first bag, $25 for second

Number of Bags Allowed

2 (additional baggage ($50-$100)

Weight Limits and Restrictions

50 lbs

Web Site 5/5

Online Check-in

Possible for all flights

Web Site Usability

Excellent

Special Needs 4/5

Handicap Accessibility

Standard accessibility

Pets

$100 one way pet ticket

Special Offers /Partners 5/5

Airline Alliance Membership

None, but awards program includes partnership with American, Delta, Cathay Pacific and British Airways.

Hotel Partners

Good package vacations to destinations like Las Vegas, Hawaii and Alaska

Competing Airlines

Southwest, Hawaiian Airlines, Frontier Airlines, WestJet

Strengths
  • Always competitive fares
  • User-friendly
  • Flights to Alaska and Hawaii
  • Good alternative to other low-cost carriers and legacy carriers on specific routes

Weaknesses
  • A la carte pricing for food
  • Baggage fees
  • Limited first class
  • Does not offer much service to non-West Coast destinations

Frequent Flier Program and Airport Lounges

Alaska Airlines’ Board Room lounges are located in major airports on the West Coast. Members of the airline’s MVP program also have access to airport lounges run by Delta Airlines. Frequent flier miles can be earned by any flier on Alaska Airlines. Fliers can also earn miles on partner airlines like American and Delta (80% of these miles transfer).

Conclusion

Alaska Airlines is known as a user-friendly airline with quality employees. It has been expanding its list of destinations and now offers a good alternative to larger airlines on certain routes. The airline make passengers pay for food and to check baggage, but their fares are always competitive, meaning that fliers who don’t need to be catered to can find good deals, especially if they are willing to carry-on their luggage.